System and method for performing chemical analysis of fingerprints for providing at least one response

ABSTRACT

An electronic device is presented including a fingerprint collecting module for collecting fingerprint information and a chemical analysis module for performing a chemical analysis of the fingerprint information to create a chemical profile for identifying at least a select number of molecules and/or organic compounds for deriving distinguishing characteristics from the fingerprint information. The electronic device may also include an evaluating module for evaluating the distinguishing characteristics of the fingerprint information to provide at least one response formulated from the distinguishing characteristics derived from the select number of molecules and/or organic compounds.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/927,511, filed on Nov. 17, 2010, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Related Art

The present disclosure relates to fingerprint recognition technology,and more particularly, but not exclusively, to methods and systems forperforming a chemical analysis of fingerprints for providing, in certaininstances, at least one substantially instant response, such as a reply,result, recommendation, supplemental information and/or feedback.

2. Description of the Related Art

The need to identify and authenticate individuals is greater today thanit has ever been, and is particularly acute for applications such ashomeland security, law enforcement, electronic commerce, access controland privacy protection, to name a few.

The use of biometrics in general, and fingerprint recognition inparticular, to identify and authenticate humans is a proven method.Biometrics is a group of technologies that provide a high level ofsecurity. Fingerprint capture and recognition is an important biometrictechnology. Law enforcement, banking, voting, retail, and otherindustries increasingly rely upon fingerprints as a biometric torecognize or verify identity.

Fingerprint identification systems usually involve the use of acomputer, which provides an identification probability for a match of afingerprint to a prerecorded fingerprint held in a database. In thismanner, fingerprint recognition devices have been employed for accessinghigh security areas. Fingerprint scanners are one form of fingerprintrecognition devices. Fingerprint scanners having image sensors areavailable, which capture an image of a fingerprint. A signalrepresentative of the captured image is then sent over a datacommunication interface to a host computer for further processing.

However, to perform identification and authentication in many of theapplications envisaged today, quick and accurate collection of severalsamples of fingerprints in various environments is important. Thus,there is a need for automated fingerprint recognition, where a largenumber of fingerprints may be collected and analyzed from variousenvironments or electronic devices without sacrificing accuracy. Thus,there is a need in the fingerprint recognition art for a technologicalsolution that overcomes at least in part the aforesaid deficiencies.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides a fingerprint recognition systemincluding a fingerprint collecting module positioned about an electronicdevice for collecting fingerprint information related to one or morefingerprints; a chemical analysis module for performing a chemicalanalysis of the fingerprint information collected; and an evaluatingmodule for evaluating the chemical analysis of the fingerprintinformation collected to provide at least one response.

The present disclosure also provides a method of recognizing andevaluating one or more fingerprints, including receiving the one or morefingerprints from a fingerprint collecting module positioned about anelectronic device; performing a chemical analysis of the one or morefingerprints; and providing at least one response based on the chemicalanalysis of the one or more fingerprints.

The present disclosure also provides a chemical analysis system forperforming substantially instantaneous chemical analysis of receivedfingerprints and providing substantially instantaneous recommendationsor feedback or responses based on the chemical analysis of thefingerprints received.

The present disclosure also provides a fingerprint analysis system,including a processor; a computer-readable storage medium incommunication with the processor, the computer-readable storage mediumcomprising one or more programming instructions for: receiving the oneor more fingerprints from a fingerprint collecting module positionedabout an electronic device; performing a chemical analysis of the one ormore fingerprints; and providing at least one response based on thechemical analysis of the fingerprints.

The present disclosure also provides a fingerprint analysis system,including a processor; a computer-readable storage medium incommunication with the processor, the computer-readable storage mediumcomprising one or more programming instructions for: providing achemical analysis system for performing substantially instantaneouschemical analysis of received fingerprints and providing substantiallyinstantaneous recommendations or feedback or responses based on thechemical analysis of the fingerprints received.

The present disclosure also provides a method of matching individuals.The method includes the steps of: inputting a first fingerprint via afirst electronic device; performing a chemical analysis of the firstfingerprint; determining attributes and/or characteristics of the firstfingerprint; inputting a second fingerprint via a second electronicdevice, performing a chemical analysis of the second fingerprint;determining attributes and/or characteristics of the second fingerprint;bringing the first electronic device in close proximity to the secondelectronic device; allowing communication between the first electronicdevice and the second electronic device; comparing a first personalityprofile with a second personality profile; determining a match; andtransmitting a personality match probability to the first and secondelectronic devices.

The present disclosure further provides a method of matching individualsvia personality profiles. The method includes the steps of: providing aplurality of electronic devices having chemical analysis capabilities offingerprints; obtaining one or more chemical analysis samples from aplurality of individuals who operate or own the plurality of electronicdevices; deriving a plurality of attributes or characteristics of theplurality of individuals; recording the plurality of attributes orcharacteristics of the plurality of individuals, either in a local orremote storage module (or database); and using the plurality ofelectronic devices to determine or detect or predict a compatibilitymatch between the plurality of individuals based on correlations betweenone or more generic or specific attributes and/or characteristics.

Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will becomeapparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, itshould be understood that the detailed description and specificexamples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the presentdisclosure, are given by way of illustration only, since various changesand modifications within the spirit and scope of the present disclosurewill become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detaileddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described hereinbelow with reference to the figures wherein:

FIG. 1 is an electronic book including a fingerprint input, recognition,and collection device having chemical analysis capabilities, inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a mobile device including a fingerprint input, recognition,and collection device having chemical analysis capabilities, inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a system block diagram of a fingerprint recognition andanalysis system for performing chemical analysis of a fingerprint andproviding responses, feedback, recommendations to a user, a display unitor an external, remote location, in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 3B is a system block diagram of a fingerprint recognition andanalysis system for performing chemical analysis of a fingerprint andproviding responses, feedback, recommendations to one or more points ofentry, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3C is a system block diagram of a fingerprint recognition andanalysis system for performing chemical analysis of a fingerprint andproviding responses, feedback, recommendations to one or more points ofsale, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a system block diagram of a fingerprint recognition andanalysis system for performing chemical analysis of a fingerprint havinglocal and/or remote storage modules, in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram depicting the transfer of chemical analysisinformation, processed by a processor, between electronic devicesoperated by a common user, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram depicting the transfer of chemical analysisinformation, processed by a processor, between electronic devicesoperated by different users, illustrating the sharing of suchinformation between a plurality of users, in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram depicting the transfer of chemical analysisinformation, processed by a processor, between electronic devices, wherea comparison module compares responses of the electronic devices ofdifferent users for determining at least common preferences, inaccordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating performing chemical analysis via atleast one electronic device and providing at least one response based onthe chemical analysis, in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating performing chemical analysis via atleast one electronic device and providing at least one updated responsecontinuously and/or periodically, in accordance with the presentdisclosure;

FIGS. 10A and 10B, are block diagrams illustrating different outputrecommendations (or responses or feedback or results) based on differentcharacteristics analyzed by the fingerprint recognition system, inaccordance with the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating performing chemical analysis on twoelectronic devices, where the electronic devices are brought into closeproximity to exchange fingerprint and chemical profile information forat least compatibility purposes, in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

It is noted that the drawings of the present disclosure are not toscale. The drawings are intended to depict only typical embodiments ofthe present disclosure, and therefore should not be considered aslimiting the scope of the present disclosure. In the drawings, likenumbering represents like elements between the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Although the present disclosure will be described in terms of a specificembodiment, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in this artthat various modifications, rearrangements and substitutions may be madewithout departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. The scopeof the present disclosure is defined by the claims appended hereto.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of thepresent disclosure, reference will now be made to the exemplaryembodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will beused to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that nolimitation of the scope of the present disclosure is thereby intended.Any alterations and further modifications of the inventive featuresillustrated herein, and any additional applications of the principles ofthe present disclosure as illustrated herein, which would occur to oneskilled in the relevant art and having possession of this disclosure,are to be considered within the scope of the present disclosure.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present disclosure. Thus,appearances of the phrases “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment, different embodiments, orcomponent parts of the same or different illustrated disclosure.Additionally, reference to the wording “an embodiment,” or the like, fortwo or more features, elements, etc. does not mean that the features arerelated, dissimilar, the same, etc. The use of the term “an embodiment,”or similar wording, is merely a convenient phrase to indicate optionalfeatures, which may or may not be part of the present disclosure asclaimed. The independent embodiments are considered to be able to becombined in whole or in part one with another as the claims and/or artmay direct, either directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly.

Moreover, the fact that the wording “an embodiment,” or the like, doesnot appear at the beginning of every sentence in the specification, suchas is the practice of some practitioners, is merely a convenience forthe reader's clarity. However, it is the intention of this applicationto incorporate by reference the phrasing “an embodiment,” and the like,at the beginning of every sentence herein where logically possible andappropriate.

Prior to describing the present disclosure in further detail, it willfirst be helpful to define various terms that will be used throughoutthe following discussion. For example:

In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural unlessspecifically stated otherwise. In this application, the use of “or”means “and/or” unless stated otherwise. Furthermore, the use of the term“including,” as well as other forms, such as “includes” and “included,”is not limiting. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompassboth elements and components comprising one unit and elements andcomponents that comprise more than one subunit unless specificallystated otherwise.

The term “analyze” or “analysis” may at least refer to determining theelements or essential features or functions or processes of one or morefingerprint recognition, collection, and analysis systems forcomputational processing. The term “analyze” may further refer totracking data and/or collecting data and/or manipulating data and/orexamining data and/or updating data on a real-time basis in an automaticmanner and/or a selective manner and/or manual manner (continuously orperiodically or intermittently).

The term “module” or “unit” may at least refer to a self-containedcomponent (unit or item) that may be used in combination with othercomponents and/or a separate and distinct unit of hardware or softwarethat may be used as a component in a system, such as a fingerprintsystem. The term “module” may at least refer to a self-containedassembly of electronic components and circuitry, such as a stage in acomputer that may be installed as a unit. The term “module” may be usedinterchangeably with the term “unit.”

The term “storage” may at least refer to data storage. “Data storage”may refer to any article or material (e.g., a hard disk) from whichinformation may be capable of being reproduced, with or without the aidof any other article or device. “Data storage” may refer to the holdingof data in an electromagnetic form for access by a computer processor.Primary storage may be data in random access memory (RAM) and other“built-in” devices. Secondary storage may be data on hard disk, tapes,and other external devices. “Data storage” may also refer to thepermanent holding place for digital data, until purposely erased.“Storage” implies a repository that retains its content without power.“Storage” mostly means magnetic disks, magnetic tapes and optical discs(CD, DVD, etc.). “Storage” may also refer to non-volatile memory chipssuch as flash, Read-Only memory (ROM) and/or Electrically ErasableProgrammable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM).

The term “electronic device” may refer at least to one or more personalcomputers (PCs), a standalone printer, a standalone scanner, a mobilephone, an MP3 player, audio electronics, video electronics, GPS systems,televisions, recording and/or reproducing media (such as CDs, DVDs,camcorders, cameras, etc.) or any other type of consumer or non-consumeranalog and/or digital electronics. Such consumer and/or non-consumerelectronics may apply at least in any type of entertainment,communications, home, and/or office capacity. Thus, the term “electronicdevice” may refer to any type of electronics suitable for use with acircuit board and intended to be used by a plurality of individuals fora variety of purposes. The electronic device may be any type ofcomputing and/or processing device.

Additionally, “electronic devices” may refer to at least, or may includebut are not limited to, a mouse, keyboard, Bluetooth™ adapter, globalpositioning system (GPS) receiver, remote control, audio module, userinterface module, electronic-book reader module, radio frequencyidentification (RFID) reader, barcode reader, digital projector,universal serial bus stick, magnetometer, fingerprint reader,current/voltage measuring device, electrocardiogram, pulse measuringdevice, and stethoscope. Additionally, “electronic devices” may refer toat least, or may include but are not limited to, an electronic book,displays, television sets, electronic paper, watches, electroniccalculators, cellular phones, personal digital assistants, cellulartelephone, view finder, direct view type video tape recorder, carnavigation system, pager, electronic notebook or personal computer (PC),electric calculator, word processor, work station, picture telephone,point of sale (POS) terminal(s), point-of-entry (POE) terminal(s) andany type of electrical or mechanical or electromechanicalapparatus/system/configuration with one or more touch panels.

The term “processing” or “processor” may at least refer to determiningthe elements or essential features or functions or processes of one ormore fingerprint recognition, collection, and analysis systems forcomputational processing. The term “process” or “processor” may furtherrefer to or encompass or include tracking data and/or collecting dataand/or manipulating data and/or examining data and/or updating data on areal-time basis in an automatic manner and/or a selective manner and/ormanual manner (continuously or periodically or intermittently).

As used herein, the term “fingerprint” or “fingerprint image” may beused to refer to at least any type of detected fingerprint including butnot limited to an image of all or part of one or more fingerprints(partial patterns), a rolled fingerprint, a flat stationary fingerprint,a palm print, and/or prints of multiple fingers.

Within this disclosure, the term “user” may also include, in addition tohuman users: computers, automated systems, controllers, robotic devices,and other electro-mechanical devices, systems,configurations/apparatuses using software (or code).

In one exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure proposes anelectronic device capable of receiving one or more fingerprints,analyzing the chemical features or characteristics or attributes of theone or more fingerprints, and providing one or more responses (e.g.,recommendations, results, feedback) to the subject or user of theelectronic device.

In the exemplary embodiments, the fingerprint recognition system may beemployed for the electrical and optical detection of a plurality ofmolecules and/or biomolecules and/or organic compounds or any other typeof chemical characteristics. In other words, the fingerprint assembliesand/or systems and/or configurations of the exemplary embodiments enablea chemical analysis of a person's fingerprint, preferably, on-the-spot,in real-time, and/or substantially instantaneously or in a shortpredetermined period of time, such that instant responses are providedto the operator of the electronic device.

In the exemplary embodiments, a fingerprint recognition system isprovided for conveying audible messages or voice messages or text orimages or videos (or a combination thereof) as responses. The responsesprovided may refer to a myriad of different possible messages or resultsor recommendations or feedback for providing additional information orsupplemental information or educational information or advertisinginformation to a consumer or user or subject or person.

In the exemplary embodiments, a user of an electronic book (e.g.,Amazon® Kindle™ or Nook™ by Barnes and Noble® or Sony® Reader™) mayinput a fingerprint via a fingerprint system having at least chemicalanalysis capabilities for analyzing the fingerprint. The fingerprint maybe analyzed at least with respect to molecules and/or biomoleculesand/or organic compounds. Once the chemical signature or chemicalblueprint has been obtained, at least one recommendation may bedisplayed on the display screen of the electronic book. Therecommendation may relate to any topic, including, but not limited to,games, music, social networking, news, weather, sports, maps, navigationsearch, videos, movies, entertainment, food, drinks, communication,banking, finance, shopping, retail, productivity, travel, and lifestyleor a combination thereof. However, in the instant case, therecommendation may specifically relate to recommendations of other booksin a similar category (as the one being read currently on the electronicbook) or a different category of books.

Various embodiments are described hereinbelow, including methods andtechniques. It should be kept in mind that the present disclosure mightalso cover articles of manufacture that includes a computer readablemedium on which computer-readable instructions for carrying outembodiments of the inventive technique are stored. The computer readablemedium may include, for example, semiconductor, magnetic, opto-magnetic,optical, or other forms of computer readable medium for storing computerreadable code. Further, the present disclosure may also coverapparatuses for practicing embodiments of the present disclosure. Suchapparatus may include circuits, dedicated and/or programmable, to carryout tasks pertaining to embodiments of the present disclosure. Examplesof such apparatus include a general-purpose computer and/or a dedicatedcomputing device when appropriately programmed and may include acombination of a computer/computing device and dedicated/programmablecircuits adapted for the various tasks pertaining to embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the presentdisclosure. While certain embodiments of the present disclosure will bedescribed, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit theembodiments of the present disclosure to those described embodiments. Tothe contrary, reference to embodiments of the present disclosure isintended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may beincluded within the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the presentdisclosure as defined by the appended claims.

Embodiments will be described below while referencing the accompanyingfigures. The accompanying figures are merely examples and are notintended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 1, there is presented an electronic bookincluding a fingerprint input, recognition, and collection device havingchemical analysis capabilities, in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

The electronic book 10 includes a housing 12, a display 14, an inputdevice 16, and a fingerprint recognition device 18. Additionally, theelectronic book 10 includes an on/off switch 20 and a notification unit22.

The fingerprint recognition device 18 may be any type of, for example,gelatin sensing mechanism for receiving and analyzing fingerprints. Forinstance, the gelatin sensing mechanism may be a gel tape forcollecting/gathering fingerprints. The fingerprint recognition device 18may be constructed from one or more biomaterials and/or biochips and/orgel biochips and/or biosensors and/or bio-electronic sensors and/ormicroprocessors, all of which may or may not be constructed fromflexible materials. Biochips, for example, may be employed for theelectrical and optical detection of a plurality of molecules and/orbiomolecules and/or organic compounds. Of course, the fingerprintrecognition device 18 need not be constructed from a gelatin-likematerial. The fingerprint recognition device 18 may be any type ofdevice for recognizing and collecting fingerprints. Thus, thefingerprint recognition device 18 may support a plurality of scannerand/or sensor types, inclusive of, but not restricted to capacitive,thermal, optical, tactile, or ultrasonic sensors. The application ofthese sensors is determined by accuracy, user friendliness, and time forprocessing. The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may beimplemented by using any of these types of scanners/sensors and/orbiomaterials to aid in the substantially instantaneous reception andanalysis (e.g., chemical analysis) of one or more fingerprints.

A chemical photograph or signature may be taken instantaneously,on-the-spot, in real-time, while the fingerprint recognition device 18is positioned on and/or about an electronic device. The chemicalphotograph or signature or snapshot may automatically, on-the-spot, andin real-time identify at least molecules or organic compounds thatdifferentiate one person from another. For example, males may bedetected based on greater amount of urea (one chemical of the urine),since males sweat more urea than women. The chemical photograph orsignature or snapshot may include compounds of chemicals that mayidentify at least the age, gender, race, dietary preferences and/orlifestyle preferences of the subject or person or individualtouching/pressing/contacting the fingerprint recognition device 18.

In summary, the electronic device (e.g., electronic book 10) of FIG. 1is capable of receiving one or more fingerprints, analyzing the chemicalfeatures of the one or more fingerprints, and providing one or moreresponses (e.g., feedback, recommendations, results, etc.) to thesubject or user of the electronic device.

The responses are directly based on the inputted fingerprint. Forexample, if a male touches the fingerprint recognition device 18 andinputs a fingerprint, the responses may be of a first type. Forinstance, in such exemplary embodiment, the electronic book 10 maydisplay information that may appeal more to a male. Such information mayrelate to books such a male would prefer (e.g., books related towarfare). Thus, the electronic book 10 may automatically provide aselection of say 10 top books related to warfare. Alternatively, forexample, if a female touches the fingerprint recognition device 18 andinputs a fingerprint, the responses may be of a second type. Forinstance, in such exemplary embodiment, the electronic book 10 maydisplay information that may appeal more to a female (e.g., romancenovels). Thus, the electronic book 10 may automatically provide aselection of say 10 top books related to romance. As a result, theaudible or voice messages or text or images or videos or informationprovided as responses are different based on detection of, for example,gender. In other words, the responses or recommendations provided (in avariety of forms) are targeted information (i.e., targeted for aspecific audience based on the chemical composition or signature orblueprint received from that person's fingerprint).

Alternatively, one person may touch/press/contact the fingerprintrecognition device 18 and the fingerprint recognition device 18 maydetect whether that person is a vegetarian or a meat eater. For example,vegetarians may have different amino-acid contents detected than a meateater. For instance, as a result of such input, the fingerprintrecognition device 18 may provide information that may appeals more to avegetarian, rather than a meat-eater, such as cookbooks for vegetarians.Therefore, the audible messages or voice messages or text or images orvideos provided as responses are different based on detection of, forexample, a lifestyle characteristic. In other words, the providedresponses or recommendations are targeted information (i.e., targetedfor a specific audience based on the chemical composition or signatureor blueprint received from that person's fingerprint).

Obviously, the audible messages or voice messages or text or images orvideos (or a combination thereof) provided as responses may refer to amyriad of different possible messages or results or responses orrecommendations or feedback for providing additional information orsupplemental information or educational information or advertisinginformation to a consumer or user or subject or person.

Targeted advertising (or targeted information) may be a type ofadvertising whereby advertisements are placed so as to reach consumersbased on various traits such as demographics, age, gender, race, dietaryinformation, smoking behaviors, drinking behaviors and/or lifestyleinformation or a combination thereof. The advertising (orrecommendations or feedback) of the present example embodiments may betargeted interactive and targeted behavioral advertising. Theadvertising is interactive because a consumer is required totouch/press/contact or physically interact with the fingerprintrecognition device 18. The advertising is behavioral because aconsumer's preferences are determined to provide recommendations and/orfeedback and/or information to the user based on the chemical analysisperformed by the fingerprint recognition device 18. In other words,sellers or manufacturers or producers of products/items may wish toconvey specific messages to specific types of subjects or people.

In order to accomplish such wish, targeted messages may be incorporatedwithin or transmitted to the electronic book 10 of FIG. 1 having agel-type adhesive member (e.g., fingerprint recognition device 18) toconvey targeted messages based on voluntary user input of a fingerprint.The messages are determined based on probabilities computed byadvertisers or marketers or producers or manufacturers or any type ofentity that sells, offers, licenses, promotes, etc. such products/items.It is contemplated that any types of electronic device (even a kiosk)may be used with a fingerprint system having chemical analysiscapabilities.

The display means 14 may be any type of electronic display, such as aflat panel display device, such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”), aplasma display panel (“PDP”) and an organic light emitting diode(“OLED”). Of course, one skilled in the art may contemplate using anytype of display means/device/apparatus/configuration. Such display 14may be positioned at one or more point-of-sale (POS) or point-of-entry(POE) locations. For example, the user may approach a kiosk (asdescribed below) in a retail store that has the display means 14. Thedisplay means 14 may enable the consumer to enter a fingerprint andreceive a response based on the chemical composition of the fingerprint(e.g., molecular compounds). The fingerprint may be instantly processedor processed within a predetermined period of time. Once processed, thekiosk may provide the user with audible messages or voice messages ortext or images or videos or additional/supplemental information asresponses based on detection of, for example, at least age, gender,race, dietary information, lifestyle information etc.). Based on suchinput, the fingerprint analysis device 18 analyzes the chemicalphotograph or signature of the fingerprint by identifying and analyzing,for example, the molecules and/or molecular or organic compounds on thefingerprint. Based on the chemical analysis results, the display means14 may convey audible messages or voice messages or text or images orvideos or additional/supplemental information or a combination thereof.

Moreover, the notification unit 22 is used for notifying a subject ofone or more updated responses including updated feedback,recommendations, and results, the notification unit 22 being at leastone of a sound emitting unit or a visual indication unit.

Of course, these are only non-limiting examples of where suchfingerprint recognition device 18 having chemical analysis capabilitiesmay be used. It is contemplated that such fingerprint recognition device18 having chemical analysis capabilities may be used in any type ofindustry for any type of application where a user voluntarily inputs afingerprint and the fingerprint recognition device 18 having chemicalanalysis capabilities outputs predetermined or updated messages orrecommendations instantly, in real-time.

Thus, the chemical analysis of the fingerprint occurs substantiallyinstantaneously with the input or within a short predetermined timeperiod of the input. A match is determined between the chemicalcomposition of the inputted fingerprint and the pre-recorded informationto determine a probability of which message or messages would be mostappropriate based on the inputted fingerprint and subsequent chemicalanalysis of the fingerprint.

With reference to FIG. 2, there is presented a mobile device including afingerprint input, recognition, and collection device having chemicalanalysis capabilities, in accordance with the present disclosure.

The mobile device 30 includes a housing 32, a display screen 34, aninput means 36 (e.g., a keyboard), and a fingerprint recognition system38 having at least chemical analysis capabilities. The mobile device 30may also include an antenna 40.

The fingerprint recognition system 38 operates in the same manner as thefingerprint recognition system 18 shown in FIG. 1. In the instant case,cell phone functions and/or cell phone applications are compatible withthe fingerprint recognition system 38 having chemical analysiscapabilities.

For example, a user of the mobile device 30 may have a plurality ofsoftware applications on his/her smart phone. When the user inputs afingerprint via the fingerprint recognition system 38, the smart phonemay make software application recommendations based on the fingerprintinputted. If the chemical analysis performed identifies the user as a22-year old, white male who enjoys smoking and eating red meat, thesmart phone may recommend a plurality of different things based on suchresults. For example, a plurality of video games may be recommended or aplurality of books may be recommended or a plurality of restaurants maybe recommended, etc. The information/data/recommendations provided mayrelate to any topic, for example, games, music, social networking, news,weather, sports, maps, navigation search, videos, movies, entertainment,food, drinks, communication, banking, finance, shopping, retail,productivity, travel, and lifestyle or a combination thereof.

The mobile device 30 may further comprise peripheral devices and/orsubsystems. Such peripheral devices and/or subsystems may include, forexample, a flash memory, a random access memory (RAM), and/or anauxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystem (e.g., a scroll wheel, trackball,joystick, directional-pad, touch-screen or other navigationalcomponent). The peripheral devices and/or subsystems may also include aserial port (e.g., a Universal Serial Bus, or “USB” port), an inputdevice, a speaker, and/or a microphone. A mobile device short-rangecommunications subsystem and/or another device subsystem designatedgenerally by reference may also be provided. The short-rangecommunication subsystem may comprise, for example, an infraredtransceiver, wireless bus protocol system, such as Bluetooth™, and/orother means of local wireless communications.

In other words, based on the inputted fingerprint and the chemicalanalysis of such fingerprint to determine a plurality of characteristicsof the user, a plurality of different, for example, recommendations maybe provided instantly, in real-time to the user. Thus, there is a directcorrelation or direct relationship between the chemical analysis of thefingerprint (e.g., the detected molecular compounds, etc.) and thefeedback (e.g., responses, results, recommendations, etc.) provided tothe user.

It is noted that even though an electronic book and a mobile device havebeen described herein (see FIGS. 1 and 2), that any type of electronicdevice, as defined herein, may be equipped with a fingerprintrecognition, collection, and analysis system having chemical analysiscapabilities. All these electronic devices may include some type ofenergizing mechanism to provide power to the fingerprint system. Forinstance, the energizing mechanism may be a battery, a solar panel, orany other type of mechanism for providing power to the fingerprintanalysis device. The energizing mechanism may be a wired mechanism or awireless mechanism. The energizing mechanism may be located in thevicinity of the fingerprint analysis device or may be located within adistant predetermined radius of the fingerprint analysis device.

For instance, in another non-limiting example, a TV remote control mayinclude a fingerprint recognition system having chemical analysiscapabilities. The user may input a fingerprint via the remote control.The remote control may analyze the fingerprint via a chemical analysisprocessor. The remote control may transmit information/data/analysisresults to the TV. The TV may display (e.g., on a small portion of thescreen or provide a new screen) a list of recommendations related tomovies or TV shows the user may be interested in based on the chemicalcomposition of the fingerprint received. It is known that TV stationsuse Nielsen ratings to determine audience size per age groups (audiencemeasurement information). As such, a direct fingerprint input onto aremote control device may aid TV stations in recruiting new audiencemembers to view their programming based on the chemical analysis of thefingerprints received or inputted.

For instance, in another non-limiting example, a fingerprint scanner maybe integrally constructed with a steering wheel to determine thechemical characteristics of the driver in order to, for example, reducethe speed of the vehicle if the driver is angry or provide a foodrecommendation based on the location of the driver. Thus,location-specific recommendations or results or feedback may be providedbased on chemical analysis characteristics of drivers of vehicles.

With reference to FIG. 3A, there is presented a system block diagram ofa fingerprint recognition and analysis system for performing chemicalanalysis of a fingerprint and providing responses, feedback,recommendations to a user, a display unit or an external, remotelocation, in accordance with the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 3B, there is presented a system block diagram ofa fingerprint recognition and analysis system for performing chemicalanalysis of a fingerprint and providing responses, feedback,recommendations to one or more points of entry, in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 3C, there is presented a system block diagram ofa fingerprint recognition and analysis system for performing chemicalanalysis of a fingerprint and providing responses, feedback,recommendations to one or more points of sale, in accordance with thepresent disclosure.

System 50A illustrates an input 52 provided to a fingerprint collectionmodule 54. The fingerprint collection module 54 provides the receivedone or more fingerprints to a chemical analysis module 56, whichoperates in cooperation with a processing unit 58. Once the receivedfingerprints or input 52 is processed and chemically analyzed by thechemical analysis module 56, the results are provided to an evaluationmodule 60, which evaluates the chemical results and provides arecommendation(s) 62. The recommendation(s) 62 may be provided directlyto a user 64 (e.g., audible format or text message or images or video)and/or displayed on a display screen 66 (e.g., on an electronic book)and/or may be provided to a remote location 68.

The recommendations 62 may include a plurality of messages based ongender, age, race, dietary information, lifestyle information or acombination thereof determined by the chemical analysis of thefingerprint. For example, a first message may be conveyed to a black,18-year old male and a second message may be conveyed to a black,65-year old male. A different message may be conveyed to a 21-year old,white, female vegetarian than a 21-year old, white, female meat-eater. Adatabase (remote or local) may provide for hundreds, if not thousands ofmessages or recommendations 62, pertaining to myriad combinations ofpotential fingerprint inputs. Additionally, the fingerprint recognitiondevices 18, 38 may be programmed (e.g., via software or code) to selecta predetermined number of characteristics to analyze to convey a messageor recommendation 62 (see FIGS. 10A and 10B).

Any number of characteristics may be derived from the chemical analysisof the input 52. For example, 3 total characteristics may be used, 5total characteristics may be use or 10 total characteristics may be used(see FIGS. 10A and 10B). One skilled in the art may contemplate usinganywhere from 1 characteristic to hundreds, if not thousands, ofcharacteristics (attributes, aspects, features, qualities, traits) totake into consideration before outputting a message or recommendationbased on a fingerprint or input 52. A number of different molecules ormolecular organic compounds may be analyzed or taken into considerationfor assembling or putting together or capturing or collecting one ormore responses or recommendations or results.

A transceiver (not shown) may be located about or on or within thefingerprint recognition systems 18, 38 having chemical analysiscapabilities or may be located in a remote location with respect to thefingerprint recognition systems 18, 38. The transceiver may be used toreceive one or more updated sounds or text, or images or video orinformation from an external source and to transmit feedback informationto the external source. The information may be transmitted or receivedeither in a wired configuration or in a wireless configuration. Thetransceiver may receive a plurality of different information/data fromthe external source. The information may be related to updated messagesor recommendations 62 to convey to input 52. The information may betransmitted automatically in predetermined time intervals (e.g., daily,weekly, monthly, etc.) or may be transmitted based on demand (or aprompt) from a retail store. The external source may be a computer orelectronic device that is continuously updated with messages orrecommendations 62 by the manufacturers or sellers or producers of theproduct/item or display or poster or publication. The external sourcemay be prompted to transmit the updated or new information/messages ormay do so in an automatic manner.

Additionally, based on the information received, the information may berecorded and categorized into historical or statistical data in order toallow the manipulators (e.g., advertisers or marketers or sellers orproducers or manufacturers, etc.) of the external source to determinewhich messages or recommendations 62 to send to which locale based onthe feedback information. For example, a store in one location may havemore white male clientele between the ages of 21-45, whereas a store inanother locale may have more white female clientele between the ages of40-65. As a result, the external source may be calibrated to send moredirect targeted output based on such historical or statisticaldeterminations. Once again, a determination is made as to what thecharacteristics of the subject are. Such characteristics may include atleast age, gender, race, dietary information, and/or lifestyleinformation, or a combination thereof, and targetedmessages/output/outcomes (e.g., recommendations, feedback, responses,results, etc.) based on such collected data may be conveyedsubstantially instantaneously, in real-time.

The system block diagram 50B is similar to the system block diagram 50Aof FIG. 3A. Therefore, similar elements to FIG. 3A will not be describedin detail. In contrast to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B includes a points-of-entrymodule 61 for providing additional recommendations 63. Referring to FIG.3B, a point-of-entry may be any physical or virtual environment. Forexample, the point-of-entry (POE) may be a retail store, such as BestBuy™. When a user enters Best Buy™, he/she may approach a kiosk inoperative communication with or associated with a fingerprint systemhaving chemical analysis capabilities. The user may input one or morefingerprints, the fingerprint system analyzes the fingerprint(s),derives a number of characteristics based on the chemical signature orblueprint of the fingerprint(s), and provides the user with, forinstance, a plurality of recommendations. In an example embodiment, thefingerprint system may determine that the user is a 35-year old, male,of Caucasian descent, who eats anything, etc. The kiosk may include adisplay means for displaying the top 3 recommended High Definition LightEmitting Diode Televisions in the store, as well as top 3 movies for aperson with such characteristics, as well as top 3 newly releasedsingles from rock bands for a person with such characteristics. Suchinformation may be considered as additional recommendations 63. Thus, apoint-of-entry may create automatic recommendations for an inputtedfingerprint. The database including such feedback information will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

Moreover, in yet another non-limiting example, a POE location may be amuseum or art exhibit. For example, most attendees at an art exhibitwalk around and preview the artwork. Adjacent each artwork there isusually placed a placard indicating the name of the artist, the name ofthe artwork, the year it was completed, a short description of theartwork, etc. In accordance with the present disclosure, it iscontemplated that fingerprint systems having chemical analysiscapabilities may be positioned next to each artwork in an exhibit ormuseum or similar establishment or at the entrance of the museum or atthe entrance of each exhibit. When a patron enters a fingerprint via thefingerprint system(s) having chemical analysis capabilities, he/she maybe provided with (e.g., via cell phone or on a common display screen) arecommendation of other artwork he/she may be interested in seeing basedon the chemical composition of his/her fingerprints.

Additionally, for example, if a patron enters the Metropolitan Museum ofArt in New York City, the patron may approach a fingerprint analysiskiosk located in the main lobby. Since the Metropolitan Museum of Art isa huge museum housing thousands upon thousands of items, it may easilytake days to discover such items. However, the chemical analysis of theinputted fingerprint allows the kiosk to present recommendations to thepatron, such as, specific exhibits or artworks that the patron wouldprobably prefer or probably have time to see (e.g., in a 3-hour period)based on the chemical analysis of the fingerprint. Therefore, the patronneed not aimlessly walk around the museum searching for desiredexhibits. The patron may be directed to the artwork or exhibits thathave the highest probability of being liked by the patron. For example,an 18-year old male may be directed to the “Arms and Armor” section ofthe museum displaying armor, firearms, and swords from Europe and Japan,whereas a 65-year old female may be directed to the “Greek and RomanArt” section of the museum displaying jewelry, glass, gems, statues andsarcophagus.

Of course, one skilled in the art may contemplate a myriad of differentmessages or recommendations that may be displayed or emitted ortransmitted or conveyed to a man or a woman. One skilled in the art maycontemplate a myriad of different messages or recommendations to bedisplayed or emitted or transmitted or conveyed based on gender, race,age or other preferences/characteristics or a combinations thereof. Aplurality of different messages or recommendations or information may beenvisioned by advertising and/or marketing companies/entities thatpertain to any cause, economic or non-economic to influence the personwho inputted the fingerprint.

The system block diagram 50C is similar to the system block diagrams 50Aand 50B of FIGS. 3A and 3B. Therefore, similar elements to FIGS. 3A and3B will not be described in detail. In contrast to FIGS. 3A and 3B, FIG.3C includes a points-of-sale module 65 for providing additionalrecommendations 67. Referring to FIG. 3C, the point-of-sale (POS) may beany physical or virtual environment. For example, the point-of-sale maybe a retail store, such as Best Buy™. When a customer approaches aretail counter to purchase an item at Best Buy™, the customer may inputa fingerprint at the point-of-sale location, which is in operativecommunication with or associated with a fingerprint system havingchemical analysis capabilities. As the item or items purchased by theconsumer are scanned by the store clerk, the fingerprint system mayinform the consumer of other items he/she may be interested within thestore for current or future purchase based on the chemicalcharacteristics obtained or derived from the fingerprint. Suchinformation may be considered as additional information 67. Thus, apoint-of-sale may create automatic recommendations for an inputtedfingerprint. The database including such feedback information will bedescribed in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

With reference to FIG. 4, there is presented a system block diagram of afingerprint recognition and analysis system for performing chemicalanalysis of a fingerprint having local and/or remote storage modules, inaccordance with the present disclosure.

The system block diagram 70 is similar to the system block diagrams 50A,50B, 50C of FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C. Therefore, similar elements to FIGS. 3A,3B, and 3C will not be described in detail. In contrast to FIGS. 3A, 3B,3C, FIG. 4 includes a local storage module 72 and/or a remote storagemodule 74.

Storage modules 72, 74 (or memory elements) may be any type of datastorage systems, as defined herein. Storage modules 72, 74 may bestorage units or memory units. The storage modules 72, 74 may be one ormore databases. The storage modules 72, 74 may include a plurality ofrecords. The storage modules 72, 74 may be centralized (as in afingerprint repository) or distributed (as in a plurality of fingerprintscanners). The records may be stored in the form of a table, list, orother data structure (or combination of data structures) known to thoseof skill in the art. Each of the records may include an identifierfield, which stores a unique identifier associated with chemicalcharacteristic combinations obtained by the fingerprint system havingchemical analysis capabilities. Thus, each of the records in the storagemodules 72, 74 may be associated with a message directly associated withor correlated to one or more characteristics of the input fingerprint.

With reference to FIG. 5, there is presented a block diagram depictingthe transfer of chemical analysis information, processed by a processor,between electronic devices operated by a common user, in accordance withthe present disclosure.

Block diagram 80 illustrates communication 86 between a first electronicdevice 82 and a second electronic device 84. Both electronic devices 82,84 are owned or operated or used by a common user 81. For example, thefirst electronic device 82 may be an electronic book. As the user isreading a novel with the first electronic device, a fingerprint input ofthe user may inform the user of another 5 novels that the user wouldmost likely enjoy based on the inputted fingerprint (and subsequentchemical analysis of the fingerprint). Furthermore, the secondelectronic device 84 may be a mobile device, such as an iPhone®. Theuser may enjoy a certain game. As the user inputs a fingerprint and thenfinishes playing the game, the iPhone® may display visual images of topten games for such a user. Such recommended information may be sharedbetween the first electronic device 82 and the second electronic device84 via communication link 86. Thus, a user having several electronicdevices is permitted to share such recommended information between theelectronic devices and store (local or remote storage) such informationon any of the electronic devices commonly owned or operated or withinthe same household.

With reference to FIG. 6, there is presented a block diagram depictingthe transfer of chemical analysis information, processed by a processor,between electronic devices operated by different users, illustrating thesharing of such information between a plurality of users, in accordancewith the present disclosure.

Block diagram 90 illustrates a first user 91 having commonly owned oroperated electronic devices 92, 94. Each of the electronic devices 92,94 include a fingerprint system having chemical analysis capabilities.Additionally, block diagram 90 illustrates a second user 93 having anelectronic device 96. The electronic device 96 includes a fingerprintsystem having chemical analysis capabilities. The electronic devices 92,94 of the first user 91 are permitted to communicate with the electronicdevice 96 of the second user 93 via communications link 98. Thus, aplurality of different users may share or exchange recommendedinformation received from their respective electronic devices. The firstuser 91 may send a list of his recommended top 10 books to read to thesecond user 93, and the second user 93 may send a list of herrecommended top 10 books to the first user 91. As such, the first andsecond users 91, 93 may, for example, talk about the books on therecommended lists.

Of course, one skilled in the art may contemplate exchanging any type ofinformation/data received via the chemical analysis of his/herfingerprint to a number of different users of various differentelectronic devices. Thus, an electronic book may communicate itsinformation to any other electronic device(s) of the same user (asdescribed with reference to FIG. 5) or of different users of electronicdevices (as described with reference to FIG. 6).

With reference to FIG. 7, there is presented a block diagram depictingthe transfer of chemical analysis information, processed by a processor,between electronic devices, where a comparison module compares responsesof the electronic devices of different users for determining at leastcommon preferences, in accordance with the present disclosure.

Block diagram 100 includes a first user 91 having commonly owned oroperated electronic devices 92, 94. Each of the electronic devices 92,94 include a fingerprint system having chemical analysis capabilities.Additionally, block diagram 90 illustrates a second user 93 having anelectronic device 96. The electronic device 96 includes a fingerprintsystem having chemical analysis capabilities. The electronic devices 92,94 of the first user 91 are permitted to communicate with the electronicdevice 96 of the second user 93. Thus, a plurality of different usersmay share or exchange recommended information received from theirrespective electronic devices. Additionally, expanding the conceptsdescribed in FIG. 6, a comparison module 102 may be provided. Thecomparison module 102 may compare the recommended results of the firstuser 91 and the second user 93 and send such output 104 to the users 91,93 or may send such output 104 to a remote location 68 (see FIG. 3A) orto storage modules 72, 74 (see FIG. 4).

With reference to FIG. 8, there is presented a flowchart illustratingperforming chemical analysis via at least one electronic device andproviding at least one response based on the chemical analysis, inaccordance with the present disclosure.

The flowchart 110 includes the following steps. In step 112, one or morefingerprints are received from a fingerprint collecting modulepositioned on or about an electronic device. In step 114, a chemicalanalysis is performed on the one or more fingerprints collected by thefingerprint collection module. In step 116, at least one of thefollowing parameters is determined by a chemical analysis module: age,gender, race, dietary information and/or lifestyle information or acombination thereof. In step 118, at least one response (e.g., feedback,results, recommendations, etc.) is provided based on the chemicalanalysis of the one or more fingerprints. The process then ends for thefirst cycle or first iteration. However, the process may be a continuousiterative process. In other words, the steps of the process may repeatfor a number cycles or iterations, where at least the scanning,transmitting, receiving, and analyzing steps are constantly repeated.

With reference to FIG. 9, there is presented a flowchart illustratingperforming chemical analysis via at least one electronic device andproviding at least one updated response continuously and/orperiodically, in accordance with the present disclosure.

The flowchart 120 includes the following steps. In step 122, at leastone fingerprint is inputted. In step 124, a chemical analysis of the atleast one fingerprint is performed. In step 126, at least one of thefollowing parameters is determined by a chemical analysis module: age,gender, race, dietary information and/or lifestyle information or acombination thereof. In step 128, at least one response (e.g., feedback,results, recommendations, etc.) is provided based on the chemicalanalysis of the one or more fingerprints. In step 130, one or moreupdated responses are continuously or periodically received (e.g., froman external source). In step 132, feedback, results, and/orrecommendation information is transmitted back to either/or a user, alocal display, a remote display, an external source, and/or a storageunit. The process then ends for the first cycle or first iteration.However, the process may be a continuous iterative process. In otherwords, the steps of the process may repeat for a number cycles oriterations, where at least the scanning, transmitting, receiving, andanalyzing steps are constantly repeated.

With reference to FIGS. 10A and 10B, there is presented block diagramsillustrating different output recommendations (or responses or feedbackor results) based on different characteristics analyzed by thefingerprint recognition system, in accordance with the presentdisclosure.

The first sequence 140A of FIG. 10A includes a first input 142. Thefirst input 142 is a fingerprint voluntarily inputted by a consumer (oruser or owner of an electronic device) to activate the fingerprintanalysis devices, as described herein. In this example, the sensingmechanism(s) of the fingerprint analysis devices may be programmed todetect 3 main characteristics of the consumer based on the inputtedfingerprint. For example, first characteristic 144 may relate to thegender (e.g., male), the second characteristic 146 may relate to alifestyle choice (e.g., smoker), and the third characteristic 148 mayrelate to age (e.g., 25 years old). Based on those 3 detectedcharacteristics, the fingerprint analysis device may output a firstmessage 150 (e.g., recommendation), which is at least text or images orvideos or audible sounds or a combination thereof.

The second sequence 140B of FIG. 10B includes the first input 142. Thefirst input 142 is a fingerprint voluntarily inputted by a consumer toactivate the fingerprint analysis devices, as described herein. In thisexample, the sensing mechanism of the fingerprint analysis devices maybe programmed to detect 5 main characteristics of the consumer (or useror owner of an electronic device) based on the inputted fingerprint. Forexample, first characteristic 144 may relate to the gender (e.g., male),the second characteristic 146 may relate to a lifestyle choice (e.g.,smoker), the third characteristic 148 may relate to age (e.g., 25 yearsold), the fourth characteristic 160 may relate to an additionallifestyle choice (e.g., vegetarian), and the fifth characteristic 162may relate to race (e.g., white). Based on those 5 detectedcharacteristics, the fingerprint analysis device may output a secondmessage 164 (e.g., recommendation), which is at least text or images orvideos or audible sounds or a combination thereof. The second message164 may be the same or may be different than the first message 150 ofFIG. 10A. This determination may be based on the sophistication in thesoftware developed to decide what recommendations or responses orfeedback to output based on the chemical analysis of the fingerprintsreceived.

With reference to FIG. 11, there is presented a flowchart illustratingperforming chemical analysis on two electronic devices, where theelectronic devices are brought into close proximity to exchangefingerprint and chemical profile information for at least compatibilitypurposes, in accordance with the present disclosure.

The flowchart 170 includes the following steps. In step 172, a firstfingerprint is inputted via a first electronic device. In step 174, achemical analysis of the first fingerprint of the first electronicdevice is performed and a first personality profile is created. In step176, at least one of the following parameters is determined by achemical analysis module: age, gender, race, dietary information and/orlifestyle information or a combination thereof. In step 178, a secondfingerprint is inputted via a second electronic device. In step 180, achemical analysis of the second fingerprint of the second electronicdevice is performed and a second personality profile is created. In step182, at least one of the following parameters is determined by achemical analysis module: age, gender, race, dietary information and/orlifestyle information or a combination thereof. In step 184, the firstelectronic device is brought in close proximity to the second electronicdevice. In step 186, the first electronic device communicates with thesecond electronic device. In step 188, the first personality profile iscompared to the second personality profile. In step 190, a potentialmatch is determined between the first personality profile and the secondpersonality profile. In step 192, the personality match probability istransmitted to each of the first and second electronic devices. Theprocess then ends for the first cycle or first iteration. However, theprocess may be a continuous iterative process. In other words, the stepsof the process may repeat for a number cycles or iterations, where atleast the inputting, scanning, transmitting, receiving, analyzing,enabling, comparing, and matching steps are constantly repeated.

Therefore, in accordance with FIG. 11, a dating service may be createdbased on chemical analysis of fingerprints. A first electronic device(e.g., a smart phone) of a first user may chemically analyze thefingerprint of the first user to create a first personality profile.Similarly, a second electronic device (e.g., a smart phone) of a seconduser may chemically analyze the fingerprint of the second user to createa second personality profile. The users may exchange such information inorder to determine dating compatibility. For example, the users may bumpeach others smart phones at a party to determine dating compatibility.It is known that there is an iPhone® application called “Bump” thatallows people to exchange contact information by literally bumpingiPhones together. The comparison module 102 (see FIG. 7) may compare thepersonality profiles and determine or predict if a love match is a highprobability. Of course one skilled in the art may contemplate aplurality of different ways for exchanging any type of informationbetween any type electronic devices, as defined herein. Additionally, ifa match is determined, one or more messages may be permitted to betransmitted between the electronic devices. For example, a file transferor music file or photograph or images or video clips or text or emailexchange(s) may take place.

Thus, an electronic device that uses a fingerprint system havingchemical analysis capabilities may help find someone who fits apredetermined description or criteria. The electronic devices maycontinuously emit an automatic and generally continuous signal. Thesignal may interrogate other electronic devices located within a rangeof the electronic devices to predict or determine compatibility.Preferably, the compatibility profiles are determined via the chemicalanalyses of fingerprints. Visual and/or audible alerts may be providedto each party to inform them of a compatibility match or correlation.The parties may be alerted to the presence of compatible types within apredetermine area, along with an indication of a degree of correlationfound and whether a selected matching signal's position is masked(described below). The party would have the option of unmasking his/herposition to the emitter of a specific signal. It should be possible tosee the target party at a safe distance before making further contact.The signals may be transmitted automatically or intermittently. As such,the parties have the option of communicating immediately after, forexample, smart phone “bumps” have taken place.

In an alternative embodiment, a “MASK” switch may be incorporated withinor about the hardware or the software of the electronic device to allowa party to mask his/her location. Of course, one skilled in the art maycontemplate encrypting any analog or digital signals transmitted betweenelectronic devices and/or between electronic devices and networks. Theplurality of electronic devices may communicate at least within a localnetwork, within a cellular telephone network, remote networks, satellitenetworks, Wi-Fi networks, Wi-MAX networks, ultra-wideband networks,Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) networks, etc.

Alternatively, the fingerprint analysis device may convey both audibleand non-audible messages. For example, the manufacturer may determinewhether audible or non-audible messages are conveyed, separately orsimultaneously. However, it is contemplated that a user may be permittedto select either an audible or non-audible message directly from thefingerprint analysis systems presented herein. A separate selectionmechanism may be positioned on such fingerprint analysis systems.

Alternatively, a plurality of fingerprint analysis systems may bepositioned on or about each electronic device. The fingerprint analysissystems may be positioned anywhere on the electronic devices, evendirectly on the display screen(s).

Alternatively, an illuminating unit/module/device may be positionedadjacent the fingerprint recognition, collection, and analysis devicesto illuminate the area received by the fingerprint scanner (e.g.,gel-tape receiving an impression). The additional light may aid thefingerprint scanner in scanning higher quality fingerprint images.

Alternatively, more than one message or recommendation may be conveyedin response to an inputted fingerprint. For example, the fingerprintanalysis devices may be constructed to convey 2 back-to-back messages orrecommendations (on different topics of interest) based on the input.The fingerprint analysis devices may convey 3 messages or more. It iscontemplated that the fingerprint analysis devices may convey aplurality of different messages or recommendations based on one inputtedfingerprint. It is also contemplated that the user may request more thanone message or recommendation after voluntarily inputting a fingerprintto the fingerprint analysis devices, as described herein.

Alternatively, it is contemplated that any existing, current or futureelectronic device may be conveniently transformed by adding afingerprint analysis device for collecting fingerprints, analyzing thechemical composition of the fingerprints, determining thecharacteristics of the inputted fingerprints, and outputting targetedmessaging (e.g., recommendations, responses, feedback, supplementalinformation, etc.) based on the fingerprint input.

Alternatively, fingerprint-specific searches may be enabled via Google™or other search engines (e.g., Bing™). For example, the fingerprintsystems described herein may be embedded within or positioned onto adisplay means (e.g., an LCD PC screen). The user may go to Google™ andtype in a key term. The user may contact the LCD screen of the PC toactivate the chemical analysis of the fingerprint. The chemical analysisresults may trigger a new Google™ search related to preferences obtainedfrom the chemical analysis of the inputted fingerprint. Thus, Internetsearching or browsing may be automatically performed by touching orcontacting a fingerprint system as described herein. The chemicalanalysis of the fingerprint may influence the search results (targetedsearching). In other words, a different set of search results may beprovided by a search engine to a 21-year-old males versus a 75-year-oldmale, based on the chemical analysis of their respective fingerprints.Thus, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure enabletouch-specific searching, touch-specific results, touch-specificoutcomes and/or outputs and/or trails.

Alternatively, law enforcement agents may have access to a databasewhere such fingerprint images are stored in order to compare suchfingerprint images to pre-stored or prerecorded fingerprint images forthe detection of persons of interest (e.g., criminals, fugitives, etc.).Such an alternative embodiment has been contemplated in an applicationfiled on Jun. 8, 2010, having Ser. No. 12/802,491 entitled “System andMethod for Fingerprint Recognition and Collection at Points-of-Sale andPoints-of-Entry,” filed by the current Applicant, the contents of whichare incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Alternatively, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure maybe combined with methods and systems for instant fingerprintrecognition, reception, collection, transmission, storage, and/oranalysis resulting in targeted audible and/or non-audible output. Suchan alternative embodiment has been contemplated in an application filedon Jul. 27, 2010, having Ser. No. 12/804,705 entitled “System and Methodfor Instantaneous Fingerprint Recognition and Analysis Resulting inTargeted Output,” filed by the current Applicant, the contents of whichare incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Concerning privacy issues, it is believed that under the 4^(th)Amendment that privacy issues would be inapplicable in such a scenariopresented in the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. The4^(th) Amendment (Amendment IV) to the United States Constitution is thepart of the Bill of Rights which guards against unreasonable searchesand seizures. The question is whether collecting voluntary fingerprintsfrom individuals would violate the 4^(th) Amendment. In order to answerthis question, one would pose the following inquiry: Does one have areasonable expectation of privacy in their fingerprints? The criteriafor determining if one has a reasonable expectation of privacy are asfollows: 1) general legal principles; 2) the vantage point from whichthe surveillance is carried out; 3) the degree of privacy afforded bycertain buildings and/or places; and 4) the sophistication andinvasiveness of the surveillance technology employed. In the exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure, one does not have a degree ofprivacy in their fingerprints. By voluntarily touchingthings/items/products and/or electronic devices in general, one gives uptheir privacy to their fingerprints. Thus, the systems and methodspresented herein would be compatible and in line with important legalprinciples and would not violate the U.S. Constitution. It isanticipated that in the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosurethat the individuals voluntarily provide their fingerprint to aid thefingerprint analysis device in determining which recommendations toconvey.

Additionally, when implemented via executable instructions, variouselements of the present disclosure are in essence the code defining theoperations of such various elements. The executable instructions or codemay be obtained from a readable medium (e.g., a hard drive media,optical media, EPROM, EEPROM, tape media, cartridge media, flash memory,ROM, memory stick, and/or the like) or communicated via a data signalfrom a communication medium (e.g., the Internet). In fact, readablemedia may include any medium that may store or transfer information.Additionally, “code” as used herein, or “program” as used herein, may beany plurality of binary values or any executable, interpreted orcompiled code which may be used by a computer or execution device toperform a task. This code or program may be written in any one ofseveral known computer languages. A “computer,” as used herein, may meanany device which stores, processes, routes, manipulates, or performslike operation on data. A “computer” may be incorporated within one ormore fingerprint recognition and collection systems or servers tooperate one or more processors to run the fingerprint recognitionalgorithms. The term “computer” may be equivalent to or interchangeablewith the term “electronic device.”

Moreover, computer-executable instructions include, for example,instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or special purpose processing device to perform acertain function or group of functions. Computer-executable instructionsalso include program modules that may be executed by computers instand-alone or network environments. Generally, program modules includeroutines, programs, objects, components, and data structures, etc. thatperform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.

A service provider may be any entity that develops, offers, controls,manages, owns, alters and/or sells software and/or hardware productsand/or items or products or publications. A service provider may be anyentity that performs one or more tasks on one or more pre-existingfingerprint systems, which may or may not be controlled or owned by theservice provider. For example, the entity may offer a service with anexisting software package and/or with any type of existingInternet-based service through the Internet. In other words, a serviceprovider need not own or provide the fingerprint systems. Thefingerprint systems may be owned or provided by any third party notrelated or associated with the service provider. In the presentdisclosure, it may be contemplated that the entity (such as a serviceprovider) may offer any type of service and/or product to optimizepre-existing, pre-owned fingerprint systems by referring potentialcustomers to an Internet website or a store that may or may not beassociated with fingerprint system-related services and/or products. Theterm “entity” may refer to anything that may exist as a discrete and/ordistinct unit that owns, operates, manages, and/or controls one or moreof a plurality of machines (such as fingerprint systems). For example,the term “entity” may include the term “company.” Thus, the exemplaryembodiments of the present disclosure also cover service providers offingerprint methods and systems. In other words, various serviceproviders may use the fingerprint systems of the present disclosure,which include chemical analysis capabilities in order to act asthird-party members of a network.

It will be understood that there are to be no limitations as to thedimensions and shape of the fingerprint systems, including the storagecompartment, or the materials from which the fingerprint systems aremanufactured or the electronics that may be used to run such afingerprint system and/or fingerprint scanners (e.g., one or morebiomaterials and/or biochips and/or gel biochips and/or biosensorsand/or bio-electronic sensors and/or microprocessors).

The foregoing examples have been provided merely for the purpose ofexplanation and are in no way to be construed as limiting of the presentmethod and system disclosed herein. While the present disclosure hasbeen described with reference to various embodiments, it is understoodthat the words, which have been used herein, are words of descriptionand illustration, rather than words of limitations. Further, althoughthe present disclosure has been described herein with reference toparticular means, materials and embodiments, the present disclosure isnot intended to be limited to the particulars disclosed herein; rather,the present disclosure extends to all functionally equivalentstructures, methods and uses, such as are within the scope of theappended claims. Those skilled in the art, having the benefit of theteachings of this specification, may effect numerous modificationsthereto and changes may be made without departing from the scope andspirit of the present disclosure in its aspects.

It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and otherfeatures and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirablycombined into many other different systems or applications. Also thatvarious presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives,modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequentlymade by those skilled in the art which are also intended to beencompassed by the following claims.

Having described the present disclosure above, various modifications ofthe techniques, procedures, material and equipment will be apparent tothose in the art. It is intended that all such variations within thescope and spirit of the appended claims be embraced thereby.

The foregoing examples illustrate various aspects of the presentdisclosure and practice of the methods of the present disclosure. Theexamples are not intended to provide an exhaustive description of themany different embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, although theforegoing present disclosure has been described in some detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding,those of ordinary skill in the art will realize readily that manychanges and modifications may be made thereto without departing form thespirit or scope of the present disclosure.

1. An electronic device comprising: a fingerprint collecting module forcollecting fingerprint information; and a chemical analysis module forperforming a chemical analysis of the fingerprint information to createa chemical profile for identifying at least a select number of moleculesand/or organic compounds for deriving distinguishing characteristicsfrom the fingerprint information.
 2. The electronic device according toclaim 1, wherein the chemical analysis is performed on-the-spot, inreal-time, and/or substantially instantaneously.
 3. The electronicdevice according to claim 1, further comprising: an evaluating modulefor evaluating the distinguishing characteristics of the fingerprintinformation to provide at least one response formulated from thedistinguishing characteristics derived from the select number ofmolecules and/or organic compounds.
 4. The electronic device accordingto claim 3, wherein the at least one response includes at least onerecommendation based on the chemical profile having the distinguishingcharacteristics derived from the select number of molecules and/ororganic compounds of the fingerprint information.
 5. The electronicdevice according to claim 3, wherein the at least one response isconveyed at least as audible messages, visual messages, text, images, orvideos or a combination thereof.
 6. The electronic device according toclaim 3, wherein the at least one response is at least a message, arecommendation, a result, an outcome, an output, feedback, additionalinformation, supplemental information, educational information, targetedinformation or advertising information or a combination thereof.
 7. Theelectronic device according to claim 1, wherein the chemical analysisderives at least one or more of the following distinguishingcharacteristics from the fingerprint information to create the chemicalprofile: age, gender, race, dietary information, and lifestyleinformation or a combination thereof.
 8. The electronic device accordingto claim 1, wherein the chemical profile is at least a chemicalsignature, a chemical blueprint, a chemical photograph, a chemicalcomposition, and/or a chemical snapshot.
 9. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the distinguishing characteristics are atleast attributes, aspects, features, qualities, and/or traits.
 10. Theelectronic device according to claim 1, wherein the distinguishingcharacteristics are recorded and categorized into historical and/orstatistical data.
 11. A method of creating a chemical profile, themethod comprising: providing an electronic device; collectingfingerprint information from the electronic device; performing achemical analysis of the fingerprint information to create the chemicalprofile; and identifying at least a select number of molecules and/ororganic compounds for deriving distinguishing characteristics from thefingerprint information.
 12. The method according to claim 11, whereinthe chemical analysis is performed on-the-spot, in real-time, and/orsubstantially instantaneously.
 13. The method according to claim 11,further comprising evaluating the distinguishing characteristics of thefingerprint information to provide at least one response formulated fromthe distinguishing characteristics derived from the select number ofmolecules and/or organic compounds.
 14. The method according to claim13, wherein the at least one response includes at least onerecommendation based on the chemical profile having the distinguishingcharacteristics derived from the select number of molecules and/ororganic compounds of the fingerprint information.
 15. The methodaccording to claim 13, further comprising conveying the at least oneresponse at least as audible messages, visual messages, text, images, orvideos or a combination thereof.
 16. The method according to claim 13,wherein the at least one response is at least a message, arecommendation, a result, an outcome, an output, feedback, additionalinformation, supplemental information, educational information, targetedinformation or advertising information or a combination thereof.
 17. Themethod according to claim 11, further comprising deriving at least oneor more of the following distinguishing characteristics from thefingerprint information to create the chemical profile: age, gender,race, dietary information, and lifestyle information or a combinationthereof.
 18. The method according to claim 11, wherein the chemicalprofile is at least a chemical signature, a chemical blueprint, achemical photograph, a chemical composition, and/or a chemical snapshot.19. The method according to claim 11, wherein the distinguishingcharacteristics are at least attributes, aspects, features, qualities,and/or traits.
 20. The method according to claim 11, further comprisingrecording and categorizing the distinguishing characteristics intohistorical and/or statistical data.